Apparatus for mounting a flat screen on a surface

ABSTRACT

The invention regards an apparatus for mounting a flat screen on a surface wherein the flat screen comprises at least two fixtures. The apparatus comprises, two mounting members adapted to be attached to the fixtures on the flat screen and a wire with one end connected to one of the mounting members and the other end connected to the other mounting member. The mounting members comprise an axle adapted for the wire to be coiled around for changing the length of free wire between the mounting members and retaining means at a radially greater distance from the wire coiled around the axle, adapted to retain the wire hereby preventing uncoiling of the wire.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus for mounting a flat screen on a surface, such as a wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flat screens, also known as flat panel displays, are often mounted on a surface, such as a wall. Examples of flat screens are TV's or monitors using LCD, plasma or LED technology. Conventionally, they have a number of screw holes for attaching a wall mount with a bolt. Flat screens have different sizes and therefore the screw holes for mounting are positioned differently for each flat screen size. Nearly all flat screen producers use the “VESA Mounting Interface Standard” when deciding the pattern for the screw holes on the flat screen. The standard dictates a rectangular pattern where the producer can choose different distances between the screw holes. Normally a larger flat screen has a larger distance between the screw holes than smaller screens; which is why the different wall mounts have to be designed for the different sizes of flat screens to be mounted on the wall.

Among the prior art apparatuses, for mounting a flat screen, is a wire with a specific length and mounting members to be fixed to the flat screen. When attaching them to the top screw holes, the flat screen can be hanged on a wall mount such as a screw or a hook. The length of the wire is fixed; hence, it can only be used for a specific distance between the screw holes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Considering the prior art described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for mounting a flat screen with various distances between the screw holes for mounting the screen on a surface, such as a wall. Further, it is desired to ensure that the apparatus for mounting the flat screen is covered by the flat screen.

The object can be achieved by means of an apparatus for mounting a flat screen on a surface wherein the flat screen comprises at least two fixtures, the apparatus comprises, two mounting members, adapted to be attached to the fixtures on the flat screen, and a wire with one end connected to one of the mounting members and the other end connected to the other mounting member, wherein the mounting members comprise, an axle adapted for the wire to be coiled around it for changing the length of free wire between the mounting members, and retaining means at a radially greater distance, from the wire coiled around the axle, than the axle, and adapted to retain the wire hereby preventing uncoiling of the wire.

Thus, it is possible to alter the length of the free wire between the two mounting members, enabling it to be used to mount flat screens with different pattern size on a surface. In other words, the present invention provides a single wall mount which can be used to mount a plurality of different sizes of flat screens to a wall. The present invention can be adapted do be used for mounting a flat screen with mounting screw holes which do not comply with the VESA Mounting Interface Standard.

The present invention can alter the length of the free wire between the mounting members by winding it around the axle to the desired length. The wire is then secured in the retaining means, which hinders that the wire unwinds from the axle and that the free wire between the mounting members stays the same length. By free wire is meant; the section of the wire between the retaining means of the two mounting members.

It is to be understood, that a wire can be a rope, a metal wire, string any other flexible long and thin object.

The fixtures can be screw holes as dictated by the VESA Mounting Interface Standard.

Preferably, the mounting members are circular. They can then be made symmetrically which simplifies the production.

In an embodiment, the retaining means comprise at least one groove for retaining the wire. Preferably, the groove has a T-shape. When positioning the wire in a groove, the wire is hindered in moving in any direction, except for exiting the groove. Preferably, the groove is an oblong groove in the axial direction of axle. The wire is then prevented from uncoiling when positioned in the groove. If the oblong groove is enlarged with an additional groove perpendicular to the oblong groove, this can be a T-shape; the wire is retained even better as the wire is prevented from moving in the axial direction of the axle.

When a flat screen is mounted on a surface by the present invention it can have an inclination, deliberately or unintentional, which can expose the wire retained in the retaining means to a force in the axial direction, this can result in the wire falling out of the retaining means. However, this can be prevented by using retaining means comprising a groove with a T-shape.

In an embodiment, the axle is enclosed between two walls adapted to retain the wire on the axle. Preferably, one of the walls is extended wherein the retaining means comprise the extended wall. This ensures that the section of the wire coiled around the axle, is kept on the axle. This aids in retaining the wire in the retaining means and ensures that the wire does not accidentally slip off the axle. Preferably, one of the walls is extended wherein the retaining means comprise the extended wall. This enhances the retaining means as the wire cannot be freed from the retaining means in the direction of the extended wall.

In an embodiment, the mounting members comprise a circular disc with a first side, a second side and an edge portion, wherein the axle is formed as a substantially circular recess in the first side, preferably the recess has an L-shape. Mounting members, according to this embodiment, are simple to produce and have the desired form, which secures that the wire, coiled up on the axle, is kept there. The L-shape is made as a recess in the first side and then angled inwards to the centre of the mounting members, forming an axle at the end of the angled part of the groove. Advantageously, the retaining means are shaped as a groove in the edge portion of the circular disc. This ensures an enhanced performance of the retaining means. The retaining means can be made as a groove in the radial direction from the outer edge to the recess in the first side and open to the first side so it is possible to insert the wire in the groove.

In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises distance members adapted to be attached to the flat screen to change the inclination of the flat screen when mounted on the surface. This ensures the correct inclination of the flat screen. The distance members can be mounted in the lower screw holes of a flat screen complying with the VESA Mounting Interface Standard. Preferably, the distance members comprise a first part adapted to be pivotally mounted on the flat screen and a second part mounted on the first part and resting against the surface. This makes the mounting of the flat screen with the apparatus, according to the present invention, simpler as the distance members can be extended to the desired length after the flat screen is hung on the surface, and thereby make the positioning of the free wire on a screw or hook in the wall easier.

Advantageously, the apparatus further comprises a circular member adapted to be attached to the surface whereon the free wire between the mounting members can rest when the flat screen is mounted on the surface. This makes the mounting of the flat screen on the surface easier and it distributes the strain to a larger part of the wire compared to using a screw or a hook, hereby preventing a ruptured wire.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will in the following be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 a schematic view of a mounting member in two parts according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 a schematic view of a mounting member according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 a schematic view of a mounting member with a bolt according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 a schematic view of a distance member according to the invention.

FIG. 6 a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention mounted on a flat screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a wall mount 1 for a flat screen TV, according to the present invention. The wall mount 1 has two substantially identical mounting members 2, 3 and a wire 4.

The wire 4 is attached to the end of one mounting member 2 and the other end of the wire 4 is attached to the other mounting member 3. In FIG. 1 the wall mount 1 is shown as if attached to a flat screen (not shown). The wire is coiled around an axle (not shown) and is retained by the retaining means 5. The mounting members have a plurality of retaining means 5. This makes it possible to adapt the wall mount 1 to a plurality of distances between the fixtures on the flat panel. Further, a circular member 6 is shown which is to be attached to the wall. The wire can then be hung on the circular member 6 in a stable manner. The circular member has a profile which ensures that the wire is kept in the circular member 6. A further advantage when using a wire 4 to mount the flat screen on a wall is that it can easily be levelled correctly.

FIG. 2 shows a cover part 7 and a main part 8 which are joined to the mounting members 2, 3. The main part 8 has eight retaining means 5 evenly distributed on the edge portion 9. The axle 10, on the main part 8 is used to curl the wire around in order to get the desired length of free wire between the mounting members 2, 3. The axle 10 has two recesses 11 and an inner axle 12 which is used for connecting the wire to the mounting members 2, 3. The wire 4 extends through the recess 11 and is fastened to the mounting members 2, 3 at the inner axle 12. The main part 8 has a first wall portion 13 which ensures that the wire stays on the axle 10 and holds the edge portion 9 which comprises the retaining means 5. The cover part 7 forms a second wall portion 14 which in similar fashion ensures that the wire stays on the axle 10.

The retaining means 5 on the edge portion 9 are shaped as a groove with a T-shape. When the wire 4 is retained herein, mounted on a flat screen and hung on a wall, the wire will be positioned in one of the side grooves of the T-shaped retaining means 5. In other words, the T-shape ensures that the wire remains locked in the retaining means 5 by use of the weight of the flat screen.

FIG. 3 discloses a mounting member 2, 3 where the two parts 7, 8 are joined. As it can be seen, there is only a minor circular opening for the wire 4 to enter and exit when it is curled and uncurled around the axle 10. It is desirable to use a wire with a diameter only slightly smaller than the circular opening, such as 1, 2 or 3 mm. This is desirable as it prevents the accidental uncurling of the wire 4 during installation of the wall mount.

FIG. 4 shows mounting members 2, 3 with a bolt 21 inserted through a hole in the centre of the mounting members 2, 3 and which can be screwed into the fixtures of the flat screen. The mounting members 2, 3 can be screwed into the fixtures on the flat screen so the cover part 7 rests against the flat panel. This will partly close the circular opening and prevent the wire 4 from exiting the retaining means 5.

FIG. 5 shows a distance member 15 which can be used to ensure the correct inclination of the flat screen. It has a first part 16 and a second part 17. The first part 16 can be fixed to the flat screen's screw holes with a bolt through the hole 18 in the first part 16. The second part 17 is a bracket which is pivotally mounted on the first part 16 so it can be perpendicular or parallel to the back of the flat screen. The distance member can then be in a parallel when the wall mount 1 is installed and hung on a wall. Afterwards the second part 17 can be changed from the parallel to the perpendicular position and ensure a predefined distance between the wall and the flat screen at the point where the distance member 15 is fixed to the screen. The distance member 15 has two recesses 19 which ensure that the second part 17 is kept in the perpendicular position.

It is preferred to use two distance members 15 fixed at a lower position than the mounting members 2, 3. If the flat screen complies with the VESA Mounting Interface Standard it has four screw holes. The mounting members 2, 3 are attached in the upper two and the distance members 15 are fixed in the lower two.

FIG. 6 discloses a wall mounting set, comprising an apparatus 1 for mounting a flat screen with the following items: A circular member 6, there can also be a screw and a wall plug for mounting it in a wall present in the set. Two mounting members 2, 3 interconnected by a wire 4. Two distance members 15. In addition the bolts for attaching the mounting members 2, 3 and the distance members 15 to screw holes in the flat screen can be included in the set.

FIG. 7 shows the back side of a flat screen 20 with an apparatus, according to the present invention, attached. The flat screen 20 has four screw holes for mounting the wall mount. The length of the free wire 4 is ensured to be sufficiently short so it does not extend above the top of the flat screen 16, ensuring that the wire is not visible when the flat screen 16 is mounted. The mounting members 2, 3 are attached to the upper screw holes. The distance members 15 are then fixed to the last two screw holes and the flat screen 16 is ready to be hung on the wall.

The wire 4 can have markings indicating the length needed for the different width of screw holes according to the VESA Mounting Interface Standard.

REFERENCE LIST

1 wall mount

2 mounting member

3 mounting member

4 wire

5 retaining means

6 circular member

7 cover part

8 main part

9 edge portion

10 axle

11 recess

12 inner axle

13 first wall portion

14 second wall portion

15 distance members

16 first part

17 second part

18 hole

19 two recesses

20 flat screen

21 bolt 

1. Apparatus for mounting a flat screen on a surface wherein the flat screen comprises at least two fixtures, the apparatus comprising, two mounting members, adapted to be attached to the fixtures on the flat screen, and a wire with one end connected to one of the mounting members and the other end connected to the other mounting member, wherein the mounting members comprise, an axle adapted for the wire to be coiled around it for changing the length of free wire between the mounting members, and a retainer disposed at a radially greater distance, from the wire coiled around the axle, than the axle, and adapted to retain the wire thereby preventing uncoiling of the wire.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting members are circular.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises at least one groove for retaining the wire.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one groove has a T-shape.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the axle is enclosed between two walls adapted to retain the wire on the axle.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein one of the walls is extended wherein the retaining means comprise the extended wall.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting members comprise a circular disc with a first side, a second side and an edge portion, wherein the axle is formed as a substantially circular recess in the first side, wherein optionally, the recess has an L-shape.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the retainer is shaped as a groove in the edge portion of the circular disc.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one distance members adapted member which is configured to be attached to the flat screen to change the inclination of the flat screen when mounted on the surface.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one distance member comprises a first part adapted to be mounted on the flat screen and a second part pivotally mounted on the first part and resting against the surface.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a circular member adapted to be attached to the surface whereon the free wire between the mounting members can rest when the flat screen is mounted on the surface. 